Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, Sebastian Ndeitunga said long distances between some border posts and checkpoints are part of the challenges the security cluster is facing to enforce the lockdown regulations. He made the remarks on Monday during a media briefing to update the public on the law enforcement preparedness for the lockdown extension to 4 May 2020. He said patrolling at borders from one checkpoint to another, which is combined with sandy nature terrain in regions like Ohangwena and Omusati have proven to be a hindrance to the smooth running of operations as some people sneak into the country using undesignated places and taking advantage of police absence. “This has facilitated the illegal crossing of some unscrupulous elements to sneak through the border between Namibia and Angola with the intention of conducting contraband activities under the state of emergency on COVID-19,” said Ndeitunga. He said that the situation is further made worse by the lack of vehicles for the security cluster and gave the assurance that the issue is being addressed to source about 200 vehicles from other ministries and return them once the lockdown is over. The police chief added that the Zambezi Region is another challenge, as it is currently flooded and law enforcement officials rely on watercraft to move to remote areas, while the border has sandy characteristics with thick bushes and fallen trees at this time of year. “This makes it difficult for the law enforcers to access some of the flood-prone areas, while fishermen from outside consider it an advantage to illegally penetrate the border for illegal fishing activities in Namibian waters,” expressed Ndeitunga. He further said that since the lockdown extension, 77 people have been charged countrywide for violating lockdown regulations of which 40 were arrested for selling alcohol, 15 for failing to adhere to movement restrictions and 14 for failing to adhere to public gathering rules and the rest were arrested for violating other lockdown rules. -NAMPA